Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu endorsed President Donald Trump's 20-point plan to end the Gaza war during a White House appearance, placing fresh pressure on Hamas to accept a framework that would pause fighting, free hostages and stand up a temporary technocratic administration in the enclave. Trump, standing alongside Netanyahu, said: "If Hamas rejects the deal, Bibi you will have our full backing to do what you have to do." The president added, "We're doing very well. It looks like there is a really good chance for peace in the Middle East."
Trump told reporters the outline has broad support from Israel and regional governments and hinges on a rapid hostage-for-prisoners sequence once Hamas agrees. "Everyone else has accepted it," Trump said. "I hope that we're going to have a deal for peace, and if Hamas rejects the deal, which is always possible, they're the only one left."
Netanyahu framed his endorsement as consistent with Israel's stated objectives in Gaza. "I support your plan to end the war in Gaza, which achieves our war aims," the prime minister said. He warned that Israel's campaign would resume at full force if the militants stall or renege: "If Hamas rejects your plan, Mr. President, or if they supposedly accept it and then, then basically do everything to counter it, then Israel will finish the job by itself."
The White House outline sketches a staged withdrawal by Israeli forces to an "agreed upon line," a synchronized release of all remaining hostages within 72 hours, and a large-scale humanitarian surge. The plan envisions Gaza "governed under the temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee," with oversight by a new international "Board of Peace" chaired by Trump and including former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Trump underscored the hostage-first sequence and near-term pause: "If accepted by Hamas, this proposal calls for the release of all remaining hostages, immediately, but in no case more than 72 hours." He reiterated his pledge to Netanyahu: "But if not, as you know Bibi you'd have our full backing to do what you would have to do."
Netanyahu signaled only a limited repositioning of Israeli troops before any exchange is completed, a message aimed at his right-wing coalition as much as foreign capitals. He told the White House audience that Israel "will finish the job" if Hamas refuses or subverts implementation. The two leaders did not take questions.
The outline pairs security steps with economic promises. It calls for Gaza to be "a deradicalized terror-free zone," a "Trump economic development plan" to rebuild infrastructure and jobs, and the creation of a special economic zone with preferential market access. A temporary International Stabilization Force would "train and provide support to vetted Palestinian police forces in Gaza" and coordinate borders with Israel and Egypt.
Several provisions are designed to test Hamas compliance while decreasing Israel's footprint over time. The document states: "Hamas members who commit to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty," while affirming that "Hamas and other factions agree to not have any role in the governance of Gaza, directly, indirectly, or in any form." It adds that if Hamas delays or rejects the proposal, "the above, including the scaled-up aid operation, will proceed in the terror-free areas."
Behind the scenes, the administration also moved to repair a key mediation channel. A person familiar with the talks said Netanyahu phoned Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Monday and apologized for Israel's strike in Doha, a step the source said was necessary for Qatar to resume shuttle diplomacy. Trump separately spoke with Qatar's emir before the White House meeting.
The plan leaves open-but does not promise-a political "horizon" for Palestinians. It notes that "when the PA reform program is faithfully carried out, the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood," while Trump acknowledged "Netanyahu had been 'clear about his opposition to a Palestinian state.'" That ambiguity could become a flashpoint as Arab capitals press for a firmer commitment to statehood benchmarks.
For investors, aid groups and regional partners, the mechanics matter as much as the headlines. The White House says aid would "immediately" increase "through the United Nations and its agencies, and the Red Crescent," with Rafah reopening under a revived mechanism. A deconfliction system among Israel, the ISF and the transitional authority would be required to scale reconstruction without permitting rearmament.
Key operational elements cited by the White House outline
- Israeli forces "withdraw to the agreed upon line" ahead of a hostage release; all hostages "alive and deceased" returned within 72 hours.
- Israel releases 250 life-sentence prisoners plus 1,700 Gazans detained after Oct. 7, including all women and children, following the hostage return.
- Temporary International Stabilization Force deploys to support vetted Palestinian police; IDF withdrawal tied to "standards, milestones, and timeframes linked to demilitarization."
- "No one will be forced to leave Gaza"; safe passage offered to any Hamas members who decommission and wish to depart.
Trump cast the moment as an inflection point after months of stalled diplomacy. "We have a real chance for GREATNESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST," he wrote earlier, adding, "ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL, FIRST TIME EVER. WE WILL GET IT DONE." Whether Hamas will accept terms that exclude it from governance while demanding disarmament remains the central question hovering over Monday's choreography.
